Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Alarm generated before the specified alarm delay time. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation All master CXs All field devices. Cause If at the end of the alarm delay time the point is still in alarm, Continuum will generate the alarm notification regardless of how many times the point has been in the "return to normal" (RTN) state during the delay period. Resolution Example: Alarm configured with a 60 second delay, point goes in to alarm and the delay timer starts. 45 seconds later the point goes to RTN and then 5 seconds later goes back into alarm. 10 seconds later when the alarm delay ends, the firmware checks the alarm status of the point and finds that it is in alarm. It then sends out an alarm notification to the CyberStation. On the contrary, if the point is not in alarm at the end of the delay period, then a new 60 second delay will be started next time the point goes in to alarm.

Issue Now the newest firmware version of Xenta server is 5.1.8, and the hardware version is 3. If a new Xenta server in an old project is needed to replace an old Xenta server with old version, it is not compatible with the old TAC Vista or I/NET software version of the project. So downgrade of the firmware is needed. Environment TAC Xenta 500/700/900 TAC Vista Cause Controller with new firmware is not compatible with the old TAC Vista or I/NET software. Resolution The controller with hardware 3 can be downgraded, but with only three versions: 5.1.6 SP1, 5.1.7 SP2 (or SP3 for X700) and 5.1.8 SP1. If any firmware other than these three versions is downloaded to the Xenta server, there will be no warning and it will be "bricked". Refer to TPA-VSTA-12-0029.00.

Issue What XML tags can be used with the Email and Paging format files to customize the Alarm Email messages? Environment Continuum Cause Not sure what attributes of the alarm can be used and displayed in the Alarm Email message being sent out. Resolution This can also be found in the Online Help file under the help Index topic "Preferences for Device Attributes". This shows the preference options to select the email format files and the XML tags that can be used in those files. The list of tags is below. XML Tag Description <\date> The date of the alarm. For example: Friday, October 9, 2009. <\time> The time of the alarm. For example: 4:37:59 pm. <\name> The name of the object that generated the alarm. <\value> The current value of the alarm. For example: 190.00 <\state> The state of the alarm. Values can be : Alarm, Return to Normal, Acknowledged, or Fault. <\priority> The current priority of the alarm. <\type> The type of alarm that was triggered. <\message> The text message of the alarm. This is the message that is entered in the Text Message field on the Feedback tab of the AlarmEnrollment Editor. <\eventnotification> The name of the event notification for this alarm. <\operatortext> The operator text for this alarm (set by those who acknowledged this event). <\useractions> The user actions for this event. <\acknowledgedby> The user name of the person who acknowledged this event. <\acknowledgeddatetime> The date and time of this acknowledgement. <\silencedby> The user name of the person who silenced this event. <\silenceddatetime> The date and time of this silence event.

Issue Two Carel BACnet gateways, when connected to the MSTP one at a time then doing 'Find BACnet devices' they show up under the BACnet folder but if connected together they do not. Environment CyberStation bCX4040 Cause Continuum enhanced MSTP mode is interfering. Resolution Disable Continuum enhanced MSTP mode.

Issue Does the I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server (ENS-1) software support clustering or able to interface with the SQL cluster? Environment I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server (ENS-1) Cause Clusters are a set of computers operating together as one unit.  Load-balancing clusters are configurations in which cluster-nodes share computational workload to provide better overall performance.  The activities of the computing nodes are orchestrated by clustering middleware, a software layer that sits atop the nodes and allows the users to treat the cluster as by and large one cohesive computing unit. Resolution The I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server (ENS-1) software does not support clustering.  The software does not provide capability for load balancing nor can it interface to a SQL cluster scenario.

Issue A CyberStation is getting Infinity alarms but not BACnet alarms. Environment CyberStation bCX4040 b3s Cause BACnet routing information not available due to missing or incorrect BBMD configuration Resolution Configure a BBMD in the sub-net where the workstation is located.

Issue When importing custom format card records, Continuum fails to create personnel objects for records where the card number has seven or more digits. Environment CSV Import Personnel records Custom Format Cause Continuum defaults to Infinity_37 When the card format is not specified in the import file.  While custom formats can accommodate larger card numbers, Infinity 37 cards only support card numbers up to 524287. Resolution Add a attribute column for cardtype. Under the card format column for each card, add Customwiegand.

Issue Web Security. Environment http https Web Clients Cause http does not provide the same level of security as https. Resolution At SmartStruxure Building Operation 1.4, this is no way to force ES web clients to use https. The feature is supported from SmartStruxure 1.6.0 RC and up

Issue Is it possible to make the EM9 90° to a 180°? Environment EM9 8601100000 8601110000 Cause Due to large quantities of 90° version in stock but no demand, changing to 180° type would cover the requests of that model. Resolution No such method is known to us. Also, we strongly recommend not doing this since it will void warranties and the products will be delivered with the wrong part number.

Issue Access which allows a value to be changed, also allows other changes to be made. Environment Users User accounts Cause A user account is created to have read only access, but this user must also have access to view Graphics, and on these graphics, be able to change values. How can this be achieved without allowing the user access to delete or edit these objects?   Resolution At StruxureWare Building Operation release 1.3 there are no available options that will achieve this configuration, the most appropriate configuration is to create a Workspace for the user, in which they will see only the Graphics, the user would have Read/Write access to the values they are allowed to change.

Issue EG2RL is obsolete and needs to be replaced. Environment EG2RL 5552220000 Cause Replacement of old EG2RL sensor Resolution The EG2RL was used in pairs as Average temp sensors. Each unit contains 2 SPA (1.8kOhm) sensor elements in serial, that are then connected to the other unit in parallel. No direct replacement is available.  

Issue After installing Tree Tech 3.2 on a Windows 7, 32-bit computer and creating a new project, I am not able to Add an object or segment to it; in  the File, Add menu, Object and Segment are grayed-out. Environment Tree Tech 3.2 Windows 7, 32-bit computer Cause Not yet determined Resolution 1. Close Tree Tech 3.2 and any other running programs. 2. Shut down & restart the computer. 3. From the desktop icon, double-click on "Run Tree" to start Tree Tech. 4. Open the project created earlier. From the File, Add menu, the Object and Segment should no longer be grayed-out.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue Error 'Operation was not performed' when trying to run a Graphic object. Environment CyberStation Cause Corrupted Continuum installation Resolution Uninstall Continuum Delete Continuum folder  (make sure to save any needed files such as pin, menu etc) Delete Continuum entries in the registry (Make sure to backup registry as a precaution) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Andover Controls\Continuum HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Andover Controls\Continuum Re-install Continuum

Issue LON devices have the ability to run stand alone schedules.  This capability requires continuous time updates.  Environment Niagara G3 Cause The LON Time object provides the ability to transmit the station's "System Time" to any LON device using an NVI SnvtTimeStamp type. Resolution The LON Time object provides the ability to transmit the station's "System Time" to any LON device using an NVI SnvtTimeStamp type. Install KitLon under Software Manager Open KitLon under Palette Drag or copy and paste the LonTime Object in the LonNetwork Link the LonTime Object time stamp to NVI Set Time

Issue "Special event" time period for occupancy runs through a public holiday. There was a calendar day OFF set for that holiday. The system will run even though the holiday schedule is off due to the special event. What is the priority between a scheduled special event and a calendar day off and also a time-schedule and a calendar day off? Environment I/A Series R2 schedule and calendar objects Cause The behaviour described is as designed, a special event by it's nature is intended to replace the daily schedule and any holiday action whilst active. Resolution The Niagara Standard Programming reference details how the outputs respond to configured schedule event-times and override inputs. From highest to lowest, the priorities of evaluation can be summarized as follows: overrideIn input (if linked) Special Events, as configured replaces holiday and weekly events holidayOverride input (if linked) replaces weekly events weekly schedule normal time-of-day (weekly) events When programming special events the scheduled and holiday actions applicable for that day must be included in the special event.

Issue Have a device that requires a 4-20 mA current signal to drive it but only have a 0-10Vdc output available. Can this be accomplished with a resistor bridge on the 0-10Vdc output?  Environment xpBA4 Cause The xPBA4 does not support driving a current output by default. Resolution It does not look like those outputs will be able to support a 20mA signal. The datasheet does not specify this but looking at another controller with a similar output, the i2867, we can see that the output rating for the 0-10Vdc output is 5mA maximum, 2Kohm minimum impedance. This would not be enough to drive a 4-20mA device. It may be possible to get a third party voltage to current convertor but then again it may just be easier to use one of the xPAO4's that already supports a 4-20mA output. I suggest using an xPAO4. The xPAO4 module can output current as well as voltage. The module has three pins on each output terminal; current (I), voltage (V), and ground (GND). It can output both 0-10VDC as well as 4-20mA. Connect your device that needs 4-20mA to the I and GND terminal and create your output with an ElecType set to Current. See datasheet Andover Continuum xP Expansion I/O Family for details on each available module.

Issue Some web browsers can not show special extended ASCII letters like åäö  Environment Vista Webstation Cause When logging in to webstation from a PC and the TGML can not show special characters this is because a temp file has not been downloaded correctly. Resolution In the TGML window there should be a refresh button, click it and the temp file should be downloaded permanently, this should make special characters work again.

Issue What are the maximum view settings for the standard output window in Workplace Pro? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Trying to a capture a long error message Resolution In Admin Tool > Options > Output Window Size, change the numbers listed to the following: 2000 rows 50 visible rows 200 columns

Issue In Chinese OS, values under Xenta server on graphics in Webstation show offline. But in Workstation, it is fine. Environment Xenta 5/7/9 Vista Graphics Webstation Cause In Chinese OS, the characters contain space will show odd symbols. If the path of the value contains space, it will be fine in Workstation, but offline in Webstation. Resolution The solution of this issue is to avoid space in the path of the value. Use underline instead of space to separate characters. For these path that can’t avoid space(for example, the Public signal and Time schedule under Xenta server), create dummy variables to connect to them, and use these variables in graphics.

Issue If creating a shortcut from an object the name of the shortcut does mirror the object. I can change the object name but the shortcuts does not reflect the change and the old name remains. Environment StruxureWare version 1.3 Cause The shortcut object doesn't need to have the same name as the original object. When the shortcut is created it gets the same name default but then you can change the names on booth the shortcut or the original object to anything you like. But the shortcut will still show the value from the original object. This is the same way as it working in Vista also Resolution That is the way it is designed to work.